Su Jing understood immediately.
She wanted to slap herself.
She shouldn’t have asked Lin Wanyi that question in front of so many people; she should have talked to her privately first.
Now Li Suhua asked Lin Wanyi directly:
“Tell Mom the truth. Do you really have no intention of marrying Ren Zhi?”
Lin Wanyi looked down, twisting her fingers, and said nothing. Li Suhua pressed on:
“Is it because of Keke? Are you worried that the Liu family won’t accept her?”
“Don’t ever think that way. I made it clear at Su Jing’s birthday party the other day—she said she would treat Keke like her own granddaughter.”
“Wanyi, you don’t need to have any concerns about that.”
“Besides, whether it’s Su Jing, Ren Zhi, or even Siyue, I’ve seen how good they are to Keke. It’s not an act.”
“Wanyi, you’re overthinking this.”
Lin Wanyi finally lifted her head:
“But Mom, I promised Keke I wouldn’t have any more children. I don’t want another child to take away Keke’s love.”
“When I was pregnant with my second child, I insisted on terminating it.”
“Mom, I can’t just change my stance just because I’m with a different man.”
Li Suhua wanted to knock some sense into her stubborn head:
“How is that the same? Back then, Wang Hao’s family was all about valuing boys over girls. They never liked Keke from the start.”
“If you’d had a son, Keke would have been mistreated.”
“But it’s different now. The Liu family doesn’t have that mindset.”
“Even if you have another child, Keke won’t suffer at all.”
“And if you insist on not having children, that’s unfair to Ren Zhi. Have you asked him about it?”
“Wanyi, listen to me.”
Li Suhua tried to persuade her earnestly:
“Think it over carefully. Ask Ren Zhi how he feels. If you truly don’t want any more children, you need to be clear with him.”
“You have to see if he can accept it. Otherwise, you’re just wasting his time.”
Lin Wanyi felt a lump in her throat.
She knew Li Suhua was right.
She also knew it was unfair to Liu Renzhi.
So she decided. Today, she would tell Liu Renzhi the truth.
As for what he would decide, that was up to him.
Lin Wanyi would just accept the verdict.
She stood outside Liu Renzhi’s door for a long, long time. Even though they were on the same floor, it felt like she’d been walking for hours.
Finally, she gathered the courage to knock.
Liu Renzhi pulled her into the room and teased:
“What’s this? Miss me?”
Lin Wanyi looked down, silent, not knowing how to begin.
But Liu Renzhi saw right through her:
“You’re thinking about what Mom said, aren’t you?”
“Wanyi, don’t put pressure on yourself. Just like I said at the dinner table, it’s all up to you. If you want to keep dating, we’ll keep dating.”
“If you want to get married, I’m ready to get the marriage certificate and hold the wedding anytime.”
“Wanyi, everything is your call.”
Lin Wanyi felt even more indebted to him.
He was so good. How could she be so selfish?
She thought it over and finally mustered the courage to speak:
“Ren Zhi, I need to be honest with you. I don’t want to have any more children.”
“I promised Keke that she would be my only daughter.”
“I...”
Liu Renzhi’s kiss silenced her.
“So this is what’s been on your mind. Wanyi, I never said you had to have another child.”
“Having Keke as my daughter is enough for me.”
“But that’s not fair to you. And Aunt Su probably wants you to give her a grandchild too, right?”
“Older people tend to think that way.”
Liu Renzhi cupped her chin with both hands:
“Now you’re overthinking it. You know I’m not even Mom’s biological child. Do you really think she’d care about that?”
“Maybe she’d like me to have a child, but she would never force me—or you.”
“Wanyi, let go of this burden.”
“Let me take you to talk to Mom, okay?”
Lin Wanyi was hesitant. Her heart was still uneasy.
But Liu Renzhi led her straight there.
Su Jing looked apologetic. She took Lin Wanyi’s hand and said:
“Wanyi, Auntie does love children, and I do hope you two get married soon.”
“But trust me, Auntie has no intention of pressuring you. The decision about children is yours, and I respect it.”
“I just have a quick tongue. Please forgive me.”
Lin Wanyi’s nose stung.
She hadn’t expected the Liu family—wealthy as they were—to respect her so much.
She had been married to Wang Hao for eight years. Ever since she gave birth to Wang Keke, the Wang family had taken turns brainwashing her.
They said her duty as a wife was to bear sons and carry on the Wang family line.
They said that if she couldn’t produce a son, she was unfilial and guilty of a terrible crime.
At first, Lin Wanyi wasn’t entirely opposed to having a second child.
She thought having a daughter and then a son would make a perfect “good” character.
But over time, she realized the Wang family didn’t just want a son—they wished Keke would disappear.
Many times, Liu Xiulan would yank Wang Keke’s hair and snarl:
“You’re nothing but a worthless girl taking up my grandson’s place. Why don’t you just die?”
This led to countless arguments between Lin Wanyi and Liu Xiulan.
Later, Lin Wanyi understood: arguing was useless.
Liu Xiulan wouldn’t listen.
She only wanted a grandson.
So Lin Wanyi stopped fighting. She saved up money, determined to take Wang Keke and live alone in the city, far away from the misogynistic Wang family.
But she soon realized she had underestimated the situation.
Wang Hao was no different.
He, too, valued boys over girls.
He would casually complain about which wife had given birth to a son, or which son looked just like his father.
After a serious talk with him, Wang Hao stopped saying such things out loud.
But Lin Wanyi could see how he treated Wang Keke.
He didn’t love his daughter.
Now, faced with the Liu family’s support and understanding, Lin Wanyi felt she didn’t deserve them.
She felt she had failed their expectations.
On the way back, she thought carefully about Li Suhua’s words.
Mom was right.
In the Wang family, they wanted her to have another child because they hated girls.
But the Liu family simply loved children.
And they had the means to raise ten children without issue.
Suddenly, Lin Wanyi felt like she understood.
Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have a child with Liu Renzhi—to give Wang Keke a little brother or sister.
Lost in thought, she stopped walking, looked at Liu Renzhi, and said very seriously:
“Ren Zhi, I’ve made up my mind.”
Liu Renzhi waited quietly for her to continue:
“Go ahead. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. The Liu family still has Siyue, after all.”
Lin Wanyi squeezed his hand:
“I’ve decided. I can have a child with you.”
“Ren Zhi, I’m willing to give you a child—to give Keke a little brother or sister.”
“Really?”
Liu Renzhi was overjoyed, surprised.
In truth, he hadn’t held out much hope, knowing how Lin Wanyi felt about Keke.
What he had said earlier was sincere. Whether she gave birth or not, he would support her without objection.
After all, he knew better than anyone how pitiful it was for a child to be born unwanted.
Just like himself, if he hadn't met Su Jing, he had no idea what kind of life he would have ended up living.
Maybe he would have died long ago.
Of course, if Lin Wanyi were willing to bear children, he would be even happier.
Hearing Lin Wanyi say this, he excitedly pulled her into his arms:
"In that case, there's no time like the present. Let's have a child tonight.
"Okay?"
Lin Wanyi playfully punched Liu Renzhi.
Neither of them knew that behind the rockery, Wang Hao's eyes were already brimming with murderous intent!
